Timbers to host Costa Rica's Puntarenas FC May 1

March 17, 2010

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers announced today that the club will play host to Puntarenas FC of Costa Rica in an international exhibition at PGE Park on Saturday, May 1, at 7 p.m. Puntarenas recently reached the finals of the Costa Rican Primera División Apertura season.

Tickets, starting at $12, go on sale to the public Thursday, April 1, at 10 a.m. through the PGE Park box office, area Ticketmaster locations, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phoning (800) 745-3000. For Timbers season ticket holders, the exhibition against Puntarenas is included as Game A in full-season ticket packages. The friendly is also included in half-season ticket Plan A packages; half-season Plan A holders can exchange this ticket for a different exhibition game in advance through the Timbers ticket office.

Founded in 2004, Puntarenas has quickly established itself as one of the top clubs in Costa Rica, reaching the semifinals in five of the last nine Primera División tournaments. In December 2009, the club made its first finals appearance, playing in the championship match of the 2009-10 Apertura season. Puntarenas also competed in the 2006-07 CONCACAF Champions League tournament, which annually features the top clubs in North America and Central America.

Puntarenas features Costa Rican National Team defenders Dario Delgado Mora and Pedro Leal Valencia and is led by head coach Jorge Walter Gonzalez Estevez. The team sits in a two-way tie for second place in the Group B standings of the Primera División with 10 points.

The Timbers open their 2010 USSF Division 2 Pro League season Saturday, April 17, at PGE Park as the play host to the Rochester Rhinos at 7 p.m. Tickets for the club’s season opener start at $12 and, starting March 22, will be available through the PGE Park box office, area Ticketmaster locations, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at (800) 745-3000.